Romans 1:28-30

Romans 1

28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;



Gossip is a very bad thing. I was once going to be a radio talk show host on Christian perspectives. I noted that those who do become one, well most not all I hope, talk about others not believers and believers alike without ever confronting or finding out if anyone confronted those people accused. Before a person is tried, they are usually judged because of the coverage in a bad light found guilty. However, the scar is permanent even if innocense is uncovered. We are all guilty one time or another. In fact, back in the late 70s at Ohio State University as a student I found myself in such a predicament. There was this guy we will call him John. John was a Christian leader. I didnot agree with him on some things. Then I started bad mouthing him. I confide in this girl about him. Little did I realize she knew John personally. I wish she had rebuked me but laid a snare before me for this John guy to strongly rebuke me and he did. I was beyond myself. My gossip darkness was exposed. The girl who had laid the snare had a big smile on her face. I decided to beg for mercy from this John guy. I was cooked, no way out! Then this John guy smiled and said, "It's ok." I saw a Jesus of mercy in that John guy. I will never forget that ever. I also will not forget that girl's face that turned from a smile to a terrible frown. I am glad I never married that gal! Whew!

At work, do you talk about your boss more than he or she knows about? How about your friends, parents? Maybe some has a disability they cannot prevent but you do everything in your strength from oh maybe getting a job or going on mission trips or even convincing others that you just enough click to be on staff in parachurch group. Is that loving especially the brethren? Well is it? Perhaps with some mistake a brother or sister did in the past, no more unconditional forgiveness. Oh no even if they had real remorse and begged forgiveness you say you cannot forgive. Not even go to GOD and get such an attitude. Oh perrish the thought! You even maybe go low enough to say in your mind

" It's their consequence! They asked for it so they deserve to die!"

Do you realize what you just did in your mind? If they are a believer their witness is tainted and guess what someone who is unsaved was witnessing saying maybe in their mind,

"This is what a Christian is? I want no part of it!!!"

And guess what you, the brother or sister in Jesus did not lift a finger to restore such a brother in sin back to good grace and fellowship to GOD!

Do you realize what I am saying here? Hmm? I am trying to restore YOU!!!!! Maybe, just maybe we can break bread again.

You know I try to do the right thing in Matthew. I really do. I try to go to a brother or sister I am concerned about and then if they do not listen I try to get another brother or sister to confront them. But because the uncle or grandpa help them get through school or did their family a favor or they are so impeccable, such a process goes to the wayside in many places I have been. Or how about this:

"Well, I know they do not do orthodoxy here but we are not perfect!"

Oh yeah, tell me how common is that? It's by grace that you can give correction not to condemn but RESTORE!!! Now is not thatwhat we are suppose to do so they can live in grace again?

Now I know there are witch hunters out there looking to put down a brother or a sister and seek always to catch another brother or sister in sin and then murder their character permanently if possible! The motivation of restoration is nonexistent! They themselves are in deep need of restoration!!! Ah they know not what they do for sure!!! They seek a consequence or accountability of condemnation!!!

Lets stop this now!!!

Pastor Lane